It is time to rethink theall‐Pharm.D. educational system: Multiple tiered degrees would better serve the diverse nature of pharmacy practice

Abstract

AbstractAs of the year 2000, schools of pharmacy stopped offering the option of a 5‐year baccalaureate degree. The 6‐year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) is now the sole entry‐level pharmacy degree. Proponents of an all‐Pharm.D. educational system envisioned that universal doctoral training would raise the level of pharmacy practice by clinically preparing all graduates for greater involvement in direct patient care. Opponents of the change were concerned that some students would be over‐trained and under‐utilized for the distributive practices that awaited them on graduation. Others disputed the rationale of attempting to train all students to be clinical practitioners because societal preferences and the nature of pharmacy practice provided contradictory evidence of such a need. The purpose of this report is to review, from a historical perspective, how the all‐Pharm.D. decision evolved and explore whether the profession might be better served by a different educational system moving forward. It is difficult to find a compelling reason for having eliminated the tiered degree system that existed prior to the all‐Pharm.D. The 5‐year Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Pharmacy and the 2‐year post‐B.S. Pharm.D. degrees served useful academic purposes and proved to be beneficial for students in each respective program. Some pharmacy schools currently lack sufficient resources to provide advanced clinical training and may be better suited to offering a baccalaureate degree. The nursing model of tiered degrees culminates with the terminal Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which, in large part, justifies the prescribing privileges and provider status afforded to nurse practitioners. A single entry‐level degree system over‐trains many students and undermines the potential of pharmacists to earn prescribing privileges and provider status in recognition of the clinical expertise they possess. A tiered degree system seems better suited to the diverse nature of pharmacy practice. Successfully executing such academic reform would require unity of purpose and collaboration across the profession.